A good way to start the year! Lokomotiv have beaten Velez at the training camp

In the first friendly match at the training camp in Spain, Lokomotiv played against Velez from Malaga. Our team found out the name of the opponent only on Saturday morning. Initially, the plan was to face the multiple champion of Gibraltar Lincoln, then with Atletico Mancha Real, but the coronavirus made its own adjustments.

Velez is one of the leaders of Tercera, the fourth Spanish division, and a fairly young team that is in good shape, as the season in Tercera is underway. On Sunday, Velez was supposed to play with Juventud, but the same coronavirus intervened.

The first thing worth paying attention to Pablo debut in the centre of defence, as well as the formation. The team moved away from 4-4-2, which Lokomotiv used in the first part of the season.

Lokomotiv opened the score in the 17th minute. Ignatiev got the ball near the edge of the box, entered the box and shot - the goalkeeper parried the first shot, but Vlad was first on the rebound and put the ball into the net - 1:0.

Velez also did not sit back and tried to attack, albeit not so diversely. In the first half, almost all of the approaches of the Spaniards came from crosses into the penalty area, where Corluka, Pablo and Kochenkov controlled the situation.

Lokomotiv should have left for a break with 3:0 lead. Lisakovich had two great chances. In the 27th minute, Kamano brought Vitali one-on-one, but Velez goalkeeper Miguel did not let our player put the ball past him.

Ten minutes later Rybus and Magkeev played a one-two on the wing, Stas made a low cross into the box where Lisakovich powerfully shot into the crossbar.

Nevertheless, Vitali used his third attempt at the beginning of the second half. Kamano brought Vitali into a good position in the penalty box and this time Lisakovich managed to outplay the goalkeeper.

In the 60th minute, Lokomotiv changed the whole team. A lot of young players came on the pitch. While the players were getting used to the game, Velez got one goal back. Velez forward Pablo got the ball a meter from the penalty line and powerfully shot into the bottom corner.

However, four minutes later Lokomotiv regained the two-goal advantage. Rybchinskiy perfectly executed a pass to Ageev, who put the ball past the goalkeeper.

Ageev wasn’t the only youngster who did well when he came on - Iosifov could have scored two more goals before the end of the game. First, Nikita hit straight at the goalie from a close range after a brilliant pass from Ageev. And shortly afterwards Ageev put Nikita into a great shooting position, but his shot went above the goal from ten meters.

Nevertheless, Lokomotiv scored the fourth goal - Silyanov was brought down in the penalty area, and Zhemaletdinov confidently converted the penalty - 4:1.

The next friendly game is scheduled for January 27th. Lokomotiv will play against Östersunds.

Friendly match

Lokomotiv - Velez (Malaga) - 4:1 (1:0)
Goals: Ignatiev, 17 (1:0). Lisakovich, 47 (2:0). Pablo, 71 (2:1). Ageev, 75 (3:1). Zhemaletdinov, 89 (pen) (4:1)

Lokomotiv (up to 60th minute): Kochenkov, Zhivoglyadov, Corluka, Pablo, Rybus, Mukhin, Magkeev, Krychowiak, Ignatiev, Kamano, Lisakovich
Lokomotiv (after 60th minute): Savin, Silyanov, Lystsov, Chernyi, Rybchinskiy, Petukhov, Titkov, Berkovskiy, Iosifov, Ageev, Zhemaletdinov
Velez: Miguel, Pedro, Ocana, Victor Armero, Pablo, Bocchino, Ismael Gallar, Gonzalo, Branco, Joselinho, Cervera
Bookings: Titkov, 82
January 23, 2021. Marbella, Marbella Football Center